Zhu Zhu Pets to get a macho makeover

Zhu Zhu Pets, last year's runaway holiday hit, are getting a makeover for boys, officials announced at the American International Toy Fair on Monday.

Although the original line was popular with girls and boys, Bruce Katz, vice president at Cepia, said that at about age 6 boys began to lose some interest.

So Cepia LLC has developed two new "Kung Zhu" lines for boys set to rectify that: Ninja Warriors and military themed Special Forces.

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Hamsters in the new line wear armor and battle each other in an arena and in vehicles. They also make different noises than the original hamsters.

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The hamsters are similar to the original Zhu Zhus, but "the play is completely different," said Katz.

The new toys will ship in May and should be on store shelves by July 1. The hamsters will still retail for under $10. Accessories are $10 to $15 and playsets will be priced at $29.99.